Since Saturday 1st June, Bield Housing & Care has been celebrating the impact that volunteers are having on tenants’ wellbeing.

Volunteers from Angus right down to the Scottish Borders will be acknowledged, with a string of activities scheduled to celebrate the week.

Ruth Bowen, volunteer development manager at Bield, said: “The work our volunteers do at Bield is invaluable to our tenants and the community.

“We are so appreciative to everyone who gets involved in helping us reduce the risk of loneliness and isolation, which can have such a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of older people.

“Hopefully we can really celebrate their hard work this week, and the difference our volunteers are making to older people in their area.”

Bield’s ‘Free to Be’ ethos seeks to enable people at its developments to make their own choices and live their own lives wherever possible.

Volunteers are instrumental to this, from lending a listening ear to tenants to getting involved with social activities, such as bingo nights, day trips, craft clubs and musical events.

Ruth added: “The support Bield volunteers provide is vital in reducing loneliness and isolation. By giving their time and supporting social activities, volunteers are helping older people to live fulfilling lives.

“We are always on the lookout for new volunteers too. From IT clubs and crafts, through to just having a cuppa and a chat, there are so many ways that people, young and old, can get involved.

“We offer our volunteers training, support, the chance to learn new skills or develop new ones, and a great social experience. We’d love to hear from anyone who is interested.”